Explaining Brazil #160: Bolsonaro’s Evangelical justice

Back in 2019, President Jair Bolsonaro promised his religious support base that he would appoint an “extremely Evangelical” justice to the Supreme Court.

But when he first had the chance to do so, he didn’t live up to his word.

Now, with the election a year away, another seat on the 11-member court has opened up, and Mr. Bolsonaro has indeed selected an “extremely Evangelical” legal mind to sit on Brazil’s highest tribunal — Solicitor General André Mendonça.

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Guest:

• Diego Werneck is a law professor at the São Paulo-based Insper Business School and holds a Ph.D. from Yale University.

Bonus Take on André Mendonça to the Supreme Court:

• Luís Henrique Machado is a criminal lawyer who presents cases before Brazilian higher courts. He spoke with The Brazilian Report over the phone about the André Mendonça nomination.

Mr. Machado is less skeptical about the new Supreme Court justice, saying “his career gives him the credentials to take a seat on Brazil’s highest court.” The lawyer adds that multiple appointments have been frowned upon in the past amid suspicions that justices would simply repay presidents with their gavel — but that has not traditionally been the case in practice. 

However, Mr. Machado believes that the government’s political crisis could mean Mr. Mendonça will face a less-than-amicable confirmation hearing in the Senate. 

Background reading:

• Solicitor General André Mendonça has been chosen to sit on the country’s Supreme Court, though the president’s son worked against his nomination behind the scenes, explain editor-in-chief Gustavo Ribeiro and Brasília correspondent Janaína Camelo.
• Brazil’s Solicitor General André Mendonça and Prosecutor General Augusto Aras acted as yes-men to please President Jair Bolsonaro and win a spot on the Supreme Court. Mr. Mendonça won.
• Kassio Nunes Marques was Jair Bolsonaro’s first Supreme Court appointment. Many of the president’s supporters were not happy about the nomination.
• In the second half of the year, the Supreme Court will decide on a number of sensitive matters, including cases concerning an investigation into the president.
• The appointment comes as Mr. Bolsonaro faces pressure from all angles, with growing corruption allegations, booming rejection rates, and burgeoning protest movements demanding his impeachment.
• Institutions in Brasília are warring among themselves. This time around, a Supreme Court justice tries to keep an inquiry into pro-Bolsonaro supporters alive.

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